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 Straddling the famed Rhône River we explore two delightful regions in the south of France — Occitanie to the west of the river, Provence to the east — while using one hotel base for the week. This sun-baked territory is rich in history and rich in its culinary offerings. An important crossroads during the Roman Empire Nîmes is known for its antiquities such as the best-preserved amphitheater in France built at the end of the 1st century and an elegant Roman temple, but the city is also renowned for some innovative architecture, from a Philippe Starch-designed bus stop to a glittering arts glass-and-steel arts complex designed by Sir Norman Foster.
An underrated city, Montpellier exudes a graceful and easy-going air brimming with architectural appeal with stately hôtels particuliers (a type of historic urban townhouse or mansion). No Roman heritage here as the city was founded in the 10th century, becoming prosperous in the spice trade and Europe’s first medical school was established here in the 12th century. Today students make up a third of the population, lending the city a youthful vibe.
The center of Sète sports pastel-colored houses with wrought-iron balconies and a quaint old fishermen’s quarter. It’s very much a working port and you’ll see shops selling such things as ships’ lamps and propellers. The historic Canal du Midi and the Canal du Rhône both terminate here.
No other ancient Roman sight in the south of France rivals the well-preserved Pont-du-Gard, a mighty three-tiered aqueduct erected as part of a 30-mile canal supplying water to Nîmes. It rises 160 feet, the highest bridge the Romans ever built, graced with 52 arches. An estimated 1000 slaves worked on it over a period of five years.
In the world of wine Châteauneuf-du-Pape retains a special cachet. It’s certainly one of the best-known from the Rhône region. Around the eponymous town are numerous vineyards where we’ll have the opportunity to stop in for a tasting.
The papal stronghold of the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) in Avignon is one of the most dramatic historic sights in France, a spectacular and colossal 14th-century fortress-castle. Its austere interior calls for some imagination to picture the palace’s splendor in its Medieval day.
Ever since Vincent Van Gogh immortalized Arles with its legendary light this town has had a starring role among sights in the south of France. Gaugin and Picasso painted here as well. Arles is certainly charming and has a wealth of classical antiquities and Romanesque architecture; pretty shuttered townhouses; picturesque squares; and famous annual arts events. Even renowned architect Frank Gehry has made his mark here.
At the mouth of the Rhône River lies the Camargue, a beautiful stretch of land and water with salt flats, saltwater lakes and marshlands inhabited by black bulls, white horses, and pink flamingos, and traditional "cowboys".
Day 1 - September 23, 2024
After arriving in Nîmes with your own train, air, or car arrangements please make your
way to our lovely city-center hotel.
This evening we’ll gather in the hotel for a welcome drink before we go out for our first of
many great meals on this trip. Afterwards we’ll head out for our first of several memorable meals on this trip!
Please Note: if you would like to arrive in Nîmes a day early we can set you up with an additional night at our group hotel.
Meals: Welcome Drink, Welcome Dinner
Hotel: Maison Albar Hotels L'Imperator, Nimes, 5*
Day 2 - September 24, 2024
An important crossroads during the Roman Empire Nîmes is known for its
antiquities such as the best-preserved amphitheater in France (known as the
Arènes, a diminutive version of the Roman Colosseum) built at the end of the
1st century and an elegant Roman temple (the Maison Carrée). But the city is
also renowned for some innovative contemporary architecture, from a Philippe
Starck-designed bus stop to a glittering glass-and-steel contemporary art
museum designed by British architect Sir Norman Foster (the Carrée d’Art) directly opposite the Maison Carrée — a juxtaposition of the ancient with the
modern. The Maison Carrée, adorned with magnificent marble columns, was
modeled on the Temple to Apollo in Rome and is considered one of the most
noble surviving structures of ancient Roman civilization.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Maison Albar Hotels L'Imperator, Nimes, 5*
Day 3 - September 25, 2024
An underrated city, Montpellier exudes a graceful and easy-going air
brimming with architectural appeal with stately hôtels particuliers (a type of
historic urban townhouse or mansion). There’s no Roman heritage here as the
city was founded in the 10th century, becoming prosperous as a crossroads in
the spice trade from the East and as a stop on the pilgrimage to Santiago de
Compostela in Spain. Europe’s first medical school was established here in the
12th century. Although its port silted up by the 16th century Montpellier never
became a backwater. A student population of some 80,000 keeps things lively
and lends the city a youthful vibe, and Montpellier is also one of France’s most
multicultural cities. The beating heart of the city is the huge open square of the
festive Place de la Comédie, a sort of cross between Barcelona’s Ramblas and
an Italian passeggiata (a lively pre-dinner stroll to see and be seen).
Set alongside the lagoon of
Étang du Thau, Sète is
sometimes called the “little
Venice of Languedoc,” a
reference to the several
canals running through town.
The historic Canal du Midi
and the Canal du Rhône both
terminate here.
The center of town sports
pastel-colored houses with
wrought-iron balconies and a
quaint old fishermen’s
quarter. It’s got very much a
workaday feel to it and you’ll
see shops selling such things as ships’ lamps and propellers.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Maison Albar Hotels L'Imperator, Nimes, 5*
Day 4 - September 26, 2024
No other ancient Roman
sight in the south of France
rivals the well-preserved
Pont-du-Gard, a mighty
three-tiered aqueduct
erected as part of a 30-mile
canal supplying water to
Nîmes. Graced with 52
arches an estimated 1,000
slaves worked on it over a
period of five years. This
2000-year-old spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, which the Romans
considered their best testimony to their greatness, was the highest bridge they
built rising 160 feet.
Nearby is storybook-pretty Uzès known for its Renaissance architecture,
recalling the days when it was an important trading center, particularly for silk,
linen and licorice. But it, too, has a link to the Romans as water was delivered
here via the Port du Gard aqueduct on its way to Nîmes. The ducal palace here
was a fortified château belonging to the dukes of Uzès for over a thousand
years and is a Renaissance wonder with a wonderful 16th-century facade. The
12th-century tower of the town’s cathedral resembles an upright Leaning
Tower of Pisa and the only round bell tower in France. Cobbled streets, pastel
shutters, charming squares, and elegant boutiques and art galleries complete
the scene.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Hotel: Maison Albar Hotels L'Imperator, Nimes, 5*
Day 5 - September 27, 2024
Nine popes ruled from Avignon, and the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes)
— one of the largest Gothic structures in Europe with dramatic fortified walls
— was their luxurious residence. This former papal stronghold is one of the
most dramatic historic sights in France, a spectacular and colossal 14th-century
fortress-castle. When the papacy returned to Rome, so did most of the original
furnishings, and others succumbed to the French Revolution. Its austere interior therefore calls for some imagination to picture the palace’s splendor in its Medieval day.
It was those 14th-century
popes in Avignon who
had a new castle (château
neuf) built and vineyards
planted in what is now
Chateuneuf-du-Pape,
from where arguably the
finest wines of the Côtes-
du-Rhône region emanate,
mostly based on grenache
grapes. In the world of
wine this terroir retains a
special cachet. Around the
eponymous town are
numerous vineyards and we’ll have the opportunity to stop in at one for a
tasting. The castle itself nowadays is little more than a ruin though some great
views of the Rhône Valley can be had from there.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Maison Albar Hotels L'Imperator, Nimes, 5*
Day 6 - September 28, 2024
At the mouth of the
Rhône River lies the
Camargue, a vast watery
plain formed by the
sprawling Rhône delta
and extending over 300
square miles. It’s a
beautiful stretch of land
and water with salt flats, saltwater lakes, and marshlands inhabited by black
bulls, white horses, pink flamingos (and hundreds of other bird species), and
traditional “cowboys.”
Known for its connection to the painter Vincent Van Gogh who was inspired by
the bright light and rich colors, Arles is a delightful town on the banks of the Rhône River that dates back to the Roman era, with its massive Roman
amphitheater bearing witness to that. Ever since Van Gogh immortalized the
city with its legendary light Arles has had a starring role among sights in the
south of France. Gaugin and Picasso painted here as well. Arles is certainly
charming and has a wealth of classical antiquities and Romanesque
architecture; pretty shuttered townhouses; picturesque squares; and famous
annual arts events. Even present-day renowned architect Frank Gehry has
made his mark here with the recently opened, stainless-steel clad arts building,
“The Tower.”
After returning to Nîmes we’ll have some time to relax or maybe you’ll want
to get a start on your packing before we enjoy our farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Maison Albar Hotels L'Imperator, Nimes, 5*
Day 7 - September 29, 2024
You can depart any time you like this morning by train, plane, or rental car
according to your travel plans.
Meals: Breakfast
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• Nîmes, with its palm-lined streets and our home base for this seven-day tour, is touted as the “Rome of France,” having been one of the most important cities of Roman Gaul two millennia ago.
• One of the liveliest cities in the south of France thanks to its large student population, graceful Montpellier is a “newer” place, developed in the 10th century as a result of the spice trade and boasts elegant buildings, private mansions, stately boulevards, and a multicultural vibe.
• Known for its connection to the painter Vincent Van Gogh who was inspired by the bright light and rich colors, Arles is a delightful town on the banks of the Rhône River that dates back to the Roman era, with its massive Roman amphitheater bearing witness to that.
• More off the beaten track is Sète, an ordinary workaday fishing village with a gutsy air and known as the “Venice of Languedoc” (the old name for this region) because of its canals.
• It was the 14th-century popes of Avignon who had a new castle (chateau neuf) built and vineyards planted in what is now Chateuneuf-du-Pape, from where arguably the finest wines of the Côtes-du-Rhône region emanate.
• Nine popes ruled from Avignon in the 14th century and the Palais des Papes, one of the largest Gothic structures in Europe with dramatic fortified walls, was their luxurious residence.
• The 2000-year-old Pont du Gard is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, which the Romans considered their best testimony to their greatness and was the highest bridge they built as well.
• Accommodations for 6 nights in a beautiful 5-star property
• Abundant and delicious breakfast each morning in the hotel
• Lunch every day (except the arrival and departure days)
• Two dinners (first and last evenings)
• Limited regional wines with group meals
• Welcome drink
• Licensed professional tour guide accompanying the group
• Ground transportation in private comfortable buses
• Gay tour escort accompanying the group throughout the trip
• Airfare
• Four dinners
• Gratuities for drivers, porters, restaurant staff, and local tour guide
• Additional hotel nights pre- or post-tour that may be desired or required by
travel schedules or other factors
• Airport or train station transfers at the beginning and end of the tour
• Travel insurance
• Passport, electronic visa, and other expenses of a personal nature such as
minibar charges, laundry, phone calls, etc.
Maison Albar Hotels L'Imperator, Nimes
Our overnights will be on
the edge of the city center
of Nîmes at a charming
and elegant 5-star property
renovated in an Art Deco
spirit with ceramics,
marble, natural stone, and
wood interwoven
throughout the common
areas and its 60 guest
rooms. In a previous
incarnation the hotel
hosted Picasso,
Hemingway, and Ava Gardner.
The hotel’s restaurant is steered by a chef who has earned Michelin stars at his
various dining establishments, including two stars here. His mission statement
says that the cuisine is “facing tomorrow but respectful of yesterday.” There’s
also a more casual brasserie that opens onto the hotel’s lovely garden. The chic
and cozy bar also opens to the garden — a nice spot for enjoying a drink and
some tapas.
The spa is complemented by indoor and outdoor swimming pools, steam room,
hot tub, fitness room, and barber shop.
This tour meets at our hotel in Nîmes at approximately 6:00pm on
September 23, 2024. The exact time will be announced much closer to the
time.
To reach Nîmes you have options by high-speed train, air, or — if you’ll be
traveling on your own in France beforehand — possibly a rental car or hired
car with driver.
TRAIN:
If you’ll be in Paris before the tour there’s a high-speed train (the TGV) from
the Gare de Lyon station. It takes about 3 hours to get to Nîmes-Centre
station. From there it’s about a 5-minute taxi or ride share to the hotel. Some of
the TGV trains stop, alternatively, at Nîmes-Pont du Gard station rather than
in the center of the city. This would be about a 20-minute taxi or ride share to
the hotel.
There are also trains from Paris CDG airport to Nîmes which bypass the city of
Paris. These take about 3½ hours.
And there are, of course, other train routes if you’ll be coming from elsewhere
in France.
AIR:
The information here regarding air options is current as of June 2023. There
certainly could be more (or fewer) options at the time of our tour.
The airport of Nîmes (FNI) is very small and has very limited flights. At the
time of publishing this itinerary there are flights arriving from London
Stansted, Edinburgh, Dublin, Porto, Brussels Charleroi, Marrakech, and Fes.
These flights are not daily. So if your travel plans call for being in one of those
places you could consider flying into Nîmes.
An alternative airport is Montpellier (MPL). There are daily flights from Paris
CDG, Paris ORY, London Gatwick, and Amsterdam. Additionally there are
non-daily flights from Frankfurt, Berlin, Copenhagen, Rome, Lisbon,
Stockholm and some smaller European cities.
From the Montpellier airport we can get a quote for a private transfer for you
or you can take a taxi or ride share service. The driving time is about 45
minutes.
As with most of our tours the
cities and towns that we visit
have to be explored on foot.
We cannot drive through them
on our bus (even on a smaller
bus) as many of the roads in
the city centers are from
centuries ago. In general,
adding it all up you should be
comfortable walking a total of
about 3-4 miles each day
(though not all at once) and
standing while visiting many
of the sights. This could pose a challenge to those who have any walking
issues. Some of the walking will be on hilly terrain, up and down, and we’ll
have steps as well. Please check with us if you have any concerns in this area.
We aim to begin each day’s program at 9:00am, though on some days we may
have to start a bit earlier.
In an effort to make it as seamless as possible for our guests, on some
trips, such as this one, we think it’s better to collect some tip funds from you at
the beginning of the tour on Day 1 so that you don’t have to fuss with that
every day as we go along. These tip funds will be distributed by the tour
manager as the trip unfolds to the wait staff in restaurants, drivers, and hotel
porters. We prefer that you tip the local tour guide directly at the end of the
tour.
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